People first used shoes as a tool to prevent foot injuries and prevent their feet from coming into contact with sand and stone ground, and invented shoes. In the primitive gathering and hunting era, straw sandals woven from the leaves and stems of plants such as reeds and straw were the most common shoes for ancient primitive humans.
Although straw sandals are an important stage in the history of human shoe wearing, they have been mainly used for labor since ancient times, especially in mountainous areas. Regardless of whether men, women, old or young, they go to work in the fields, go up the mountain to chop wood, cut wood, collect herbs, hunt, etc., they all wear straw sandals regardless of whether it is sunny or rainy. Straw sandals are light, soft, non-slip, and both water-repellent and breathable. Some people still like to wear them now. It is especially suitable for walking long distances in summer. Wearing straw sandals is refreshing and cool, with moderate hardness and agility, giving people a sense of comfort. Straw sandals are actually the ancestor of sandals and slippers, and they have given too many inspirations to people in the world of shoes.
Traditional straw sandals focus on simplicity and functionality, while modern barefoot shoes go a step further, and on this basis, they pursue the feeling of walking barefoot. The purpose of barefoot shoes is to allow people to feel the ground better when walking, thereby improving posture, strengthening muscle strength and promoting physical health.
At the same time, because barefoot shoes are made of many pure materials/environmentally friendly materials, they inherit the sustainable development characteristics of straw shoes and are becoming more and more popular in modern society.
In other words, barefoot shoes can also be regarded as “modern straw shoes”. They pursue minimalism, focus on comfort, yearn for nature, and with the concept of sustainable development, the barefoot shoe market is getting bigger and bigger, especially in Europe, America and Oceania. Consumers who are environmentally conscious and health-conscious are looking for products that reflect their lifestyle choices.
From straw shoes to barefoot shoes, the evolution of footwear is a process of adaptation, culture and innovation, but it is undeniable that nature, environmental protection and sustainability will always be the mainstream of footwear development.
